Chicago Blackhawks: Don't Spread Yourself Thin

The Chicago Blackhawks will get their playoff run underway on Thursday night against the Nashville Predators, and the team released a video to hype fans up for another run at a Stanley Cup championship.

It was Arvidsson's fourth goal in his last four games against Chicago. Chicago boasts one of the most feared lines in hockey, which is composed of Patrick Kane, Artem Anisimov and Artemi Panarin. Jonathan Toews had 58 points on the season, and Duncan Keith recorded 53 from the blue line. Toews started slow, but has picked up his game late in the season, as he finished with 21 goals and 37 assists.

Out to get 'em: The Hawks knocked the Predators out of the first round of the playoffs in 2010 and 2015 and solved goaltender Pekka Rinne in both series.

The Blackhawks, the No. 1 overall seed in the Western Conference, have balance throughout all four forward lines and have a two-time cup champion in goalie Corey Crawford, who pushes the puck down ice for an impressively fast offensive rush. The Blackhawks are one of the most complete and talented teams the league has seen in recent years, and it all starts with its offense.

There's no better test than this for the Preds to start out, but they don't mind.

Nashville is a big team and they are gonna hit the Blackhawks. "We defended hard, but I think we're going to have to attack the game more and create more chances".

"We gotta be better across the board". The matchups will be something to watch throughout the series, but especially in Game One as a tone is set.

The Blackhawks come into the first round relatively healthy.

Beginning with the 2007-08 season, Washington is 3-6 in Game 7s and has been outscored 13-23 in those games.

The missed call on Roman Josi for delay of game was huge. "That's the mindset we want to take in to the first game", Brent Seabrook said. "The last part of the season I think we've been playing really good hockey and obviously produced against any team, really".

On Ottawa's side, Marc Methot is questionable to play after his finger injury caused by Sidney Crosby's skate blade and star defenseman Erik Karlsson is also struggling with an undisclosed injury.

The Predators did not have a 1-0 victory during the regular season.

But the playoffs are a different animal. I personally would like to see the Blackhawks come out and play a physical game against Nashville in game two.

Nashville Predators coach Peter Laviolette put it as succinctly as possible on Thursday morning. They, however, went home disappointed after the Oilers lost Game 1 of their playoff series against the San Jose Sharks, a team that's played more than 100 playoff games since Edmonton played its last, 3-2 in overtime on a goal by Melker Karlsson. "But we feel like we can play with them, and that's what we plan to do". Puck drop for their game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., and the game will air locally on CSN Chicago and nationally on NBCSN.